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The forest fire that hit the Térraba Sierpe Wetland has been extinguished |
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 By the A.M. Costa Rica
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Authorities of the Osa Conservation Area and the National Fire Management Program of the Ministry of Environment reported that the forest fire that affected the Térraba Sierpe National Wetland* in the Osa Canton, Puntarenas province is extinguished. Because of area conditions, both in vegetation and soil consistency, firefighters had difficulty bringing equipment directly to the areas where it was needed making direct control of the fire difficult. A helicopter was moved to the area and used a Bambi Bucket to launch water onto the fire. This proved very effective and, after 212 loads and a total of 63,600 gallons of water, the fire was brought under control. Antonio Orozco, manager of the Térraba Sierpe National Wetland, said the forest fire has had a serious environmental impact on the wetland area, whose ecosystem is very fragile. At the same time, there is concern for the agricultural expansion that is occurring in this area of the country and the steps will be taken to file a complaint with the Environmental Protection Prosecutor of Osa, based in Golfito and the Administrative Environmental Tribunal. The cause of the fire was identified as land use change. There is great interest in expanding rice cultivation in the area and it appears likely that the fire was set to allow an increase in agricultural land. According to Dennis Mora, Ranger Commander of the Térraba Sierpe National Wetland, terrestrial and aquatic surveillance will be maintained over the fire area during the next few days. The latest report from the National Fire Management Program states that, this year, 57 forest fires have been attended to, 26 of which were within the protected wildlife areas. |
 Osa Conservation Area courtesy photo The cause
of the fire was identified as expanding rice
cultivation in the area.
This is equivalent to 810 hectares affected in conservation and protection areas. In addition, 21 fires have been extinguished on private properties that adjoin protected areas in indigenous territories and properties of other state institutions. Firefighters ask citizens to report any suspicion of fire in wild areas at the 9-1-1 emergency number. ---------- Have you visited the wetland area in Sierpe? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com *Link to reach the place. |
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